District Convention News

Vasa Order of America

District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8

 Convention

District Cultural leader and Nordik Folk member
Tim Ogrentz

  

The District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 106th Annual Convention and meeting was held May 30 - June 1st at the Chicago Marriott Southwest in Burr Ridge, IL.  Delegates from all 19 District Lodges and one Children's Club were on hand to discuss the future of the order as well as celebrate it.

Represting Nordik Folk as delegates for 2014 were:  Linnea Ogrentz, Emily Pearson, Shelly Pehlgrim and Kristin Schmal.  April Nelson represented Nordikids.  Several of our Nordik Folk members who hold District Positions were on hand:  Mike Pearson Sr. (Vice District Master), Joella Hultgren (Assistant District Secretary & Valthornet Editor), Lynda Smith (Supervisor of children's & Youth Clubs), Tim Ogrentz (District Cultural Leader), and Herb Smith (2nd Year Auditor).  

Along with all of the District Board Member Reports, there is a place for new discussion usually regarding the future of VASA and our lodges as membership continues to dwindle.  There was a nice moment during the convention where we divided into discussion groups on the behest of Jubileum No. 755, to share ideas and to ask important questions about membership.  These were some of the ideas/observations:  Many delegates felt that local lodges needed more cultural events and shorter business meetings.  It was suggested that we all ask ourselves why we joined VASA, and what we think would make it appealing for others interested in Scandinavian Culture to join.  What can we do within our local lodges to make our meetings, programs and events worthwhile and interesting to our communities?

Distinguished Service Award 

Vice District Master Mike Pearson & Assistant District Secretary &
Distinguished Service Award Recipient

Joella Hultgren dual member of Svea No. 253 and Nordik Folk 761, received the District Lake Michigan No. 8 Distinguished Service Award for 2014.  It was presented to her by our own Past Chairman & Vice District Master, Mike Pearson.  Joella has been the Editor of the Valthornet since 2007. She is also the Assistant District Secretary.  Joella has certainly provided  distinguished Service to Vasa and we congratulate her on her accomplishment.  We are lucky to have such a distingushed member in our lodge. She joins Lynda Smith, who received the award at last year's convention.  

Vasa Scholarship Awards

Concordia Language Camp Recipients:
Melissa and Jennifer Pearson, Harry Ogrentz & Steven Lesko

District Scholarships:  Katie Westlund, Rachel Hannigan,
Abigail Ogrentz & Emily Pearson

Grand Lodge Scholarships:  Katie Weslund, Rachel Hannigan
 & Abigail Ogrentz

2014/2015 District Officers:

District Master-Sue Cleveland; Vice District Master-Mike Pearson, Sr.; District Secretary-Nancy Hult; Assistant District Secretary- Joella Hultgren; District Treasurer- John Loula; District Hospital Fund Secretary- Linda Tylk; District Executive Board member- Gene Kiesel; District Executive Board member- Paula Stopka; District supervisor of Children and youth Clubs- Lynda Smith; District Cultural leader- Timothy Ogrentz; District Chaplain- Marvin Anderson; District Master of Ceremonies- David Runstrom; District Inner Guard- James Pelzman; District Outer Guard- Steven Westlund; District Auditor (3 yrs)- Robert Merrill; District Auditor (2yrs)- Herbert Smith; District Auditor (1yr)- Eric Swanson; District Historian- Iva Lynn; and Past District Master- Edward Hultgren.